Attractions in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo

Related Articles

Pointe Noire is the second largest city of the Republic of the Congo, after the capital Brazzaville. Located on the west coast of this central African country, Pointe Noire has a relatively high degree of infrastructure because of the oil-industry employees working in the area. The offshore oil industry makes Pointe Noire the economic center of the Republic of Congo.

Diosso Gorge

The natural gorge at Diosso is located within three miles of the city of Pointe Noire. The gorge is one of the most scenic attractions in the area and a lookout spot affords an excellent view. Children working in the area will commonly demand a small fee for access to the gorge and its lookout. These children also commonly will offer to be your guide if you wish to climb down into the gorge. For safety's sake, descending into the gorge is not recommended unless you are an experienced rough-terrain climber.

Beaches

The beaches to the north of Pointe Noire are known as the Cote Mondaine, while the beaches to the south comprise the Cote Sauvage. The southern beaches are the more popular with tourists. The Backpacking Site.com indicates that the Pointe Noire's long coastline is overall quite dirty and crowded. At the beach, the sun is fierce and you should take precautions against sunburn. A little north of Pointe Noire lies the beach resort of Pointe Indienne, where you can rent cabins.

CFCO Terminus Building

The terminus building of the Chemin de fer Congo-Ocean or CFCO -- the railway line connecting Pointe Noire to the city of Brazzaville -- is one the more impressive buildings in the city, according to The Backpacking Site.com. The railway itself is somewhat dilapidated, as regular maintenance has been neglected. But the railway was a major reason for the growth of Pointe Noire from the 1920s onward. Today, the railway remains an important means of entry into the city, together with the local airport.

Nightlife

Nightclubs in the downtown area are mostly frequented by locals, while the establishments nearer the beaches draw a mixed crowd including expatriates working in the oil industry, tourists and backpackers. Drinking at most Pointe Noire clubs is in the mid-price range, and clubs stay open late into the night.

Considerations

At the time of publication, the U.S. State Department advises against all nonessential travel to the Republic of the Congo.